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When the combination of solid sound come together from Killswitch and Anthrax it brings forth the metal frayed edges of forged elements, that have been created in the hot furnace of metalcore. Any night, any venue in any town the true solidified art of what metalcore does comes bleeding and oozing from the primordial depths of these two stalwartly true tricksters of metaldom bands. Without any false pretenses, it is a delivery blessed by the gods of metal from ages past, present, and future. Their fans know it and let's face it... they known it as well.This wicked combination has produced a tour-fest called, Killthrax, as it was announced back in December of 2016. Within the masterful mix The Devil Wears Prada stamped their notable union and upon this date for Phoenix, Arizona at the Marquee Theatre the Killthrax Tour (which could be dubbed the KillThrillThrax Tour easily) presented all the facets of metal by staging Anthrax's old school metal, which the fans went nuts over, to the New Wave of American Heavy Metal being represented by Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada along with Code Orange mixing in their own sanctified edge. KillThrax is a total of 27 dates in North America alone and it is all being welcomed with eager, metal banging heads of fans.Although Code Orange and The Devil Wears Prada did open for the Killthrax Tour, unfortunately, I was unable to get into the venue for them, due to a mix-up at the box office. However, the staff at the Marquee Theatre are always quick and efficient in figuring things out and I was able to catch just the last bit of TDWP for a few shots. It was quite evident though by observing the tightly packed venue that these fans were well under way- from the packed standing room floor all the way up to the tightly bound balcony- that both opening bands were just the right bit of fire that lit this metal room to life.As Anthrax bounded the stage the crowd and the band seemed to merge. What was band and what was the crowd... you almost could not tell. They joined forces and blurred the edge of metal worship. Anthrax wasted no time as they bust open the gut and covered "The Number of the Beast" (Iron Maiden) and an incredible rendition of Otis Redding's tune "I Can't Turn You Loose." Right from the start lead vocalist Joey Belladonna worked the fans. The audience was as much a part of Anthrax as they were of themselves. Joey reached out, taunted fans with guitar picks, flashed his wicked smile, leaned out of over the crowds and shared the mic has he leaned the stand over the crowd and the fans sang along with him. Not to be undersold in the showmanship department, guitarist Frank Bello, was just as much of a livewire, along with his excellent execution of his thrash metal guitar playing this combo of metal-rama was just what the right prescription delivery. What better way to end their set than with their version of "Long Live Rock n Roll" by Rainbow? You know what? There wasn't a better way and it was a perfect ending to a energized set.It would be an almost thirty-minute stage change before Killswitch Engage would hit the stage and the crowd did grow a little restless as things got set up. They were not disappointed and the wait was well worth it as the lights dimmed and the venue grew dark... KsE walked on ready to give and the audience was just as eager to give back to them as well.Killswitch Engage's latest album "Incarnate", was released in March 2016 via Roadrunner Records and followed up by an extensive tour. The fans certainly have a developed even a deeper connection with KsE as they had recently released their two-disc, Blu-ray and CD package called, "Beyond The Flames: Home Video Part II. This documentary really opens itself to KsE fans as it chronicles the return of singer Jesse Leach after nearly a decade of being apart.You would have never known by the energy and connectivity that there had ever been any time apart, all was right here, as it always has been. KsE always delivers with keen precision. Opening their set on April 20th with "Hate By Design" they took the lead and the audience was rocked. The crowd was body surfing and KsE taunted them on to keep that energy of metal and rock at an all time high. The security guards were kept busy the whole set as they helped fans who were body surfing along toward the barricade- up and over- and through the aisle and back into the crowd to do it all over again. Something this particular venue is committed to, is you are guaranteed to be well taken care of by their staff and their security. KsE motioned to only send their best and Jesse kept everything tight with the crowd. Justin Foley on drums is the solid foundation of KsE along with bassist Mike D'Antonio thumping the rhythm. Adam Dutkiewicz is one of the best lead guitarists in the realm of metal and if you listen to him play you can definitely learn something. All through their set and with each and every number played "The End of Heartache," "This Is Absolution," and "In Due Time" you felt the pulsating metal chompers biting down throughout their 16 song set. It felt almost natural for them to end by giving us "Holy Diver" by Dio. This was the right mix of the perfect metals and it is a tour forged to hold any audience at any time wanting and needing more. A meal given to us by the metal-gods.

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The land of Michigan has given the world a deluge of multiple necessities and sheer pleasures outside of what at one time was the auto industry mecca. Like its heart and soul of the blue collared working person that breeds an indelible, almost pioneer spirit, the music from here reflects its surroundings as once again this 26th state, added to the Union in January of 1837, is having a rebirth. The possibility of this land known warmly for its industrial explosion in the region of the Great Lakes is now standing at possibly a new dawn... the creation of being a strong contender for the music scene, much like Nashville is today.

With this in mind, the resonating rock and blues plus more yet to be revealed have begun with the band, Greta Van Fleet. They are poised and ready to bring the elements of rock n' roll up to the next level.

Recently bassist Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet took some time out while they are on tour to give their …

Stryper
Brings Metal Stings with Their 30th Anniversary Album Celebration Tour: To
Hell With the Devil with
Song River

It
was a 'sweet' celebration Stryper brought with them everything a
30th-anniversary celebration should bring and then some! The strength
and heart as the yellow and black brought the hard rock attack back
to Arizona, as the Nile Theatre was packed with die hard fans that
came from some sort of faith background so it seemed and included a
wide age group range.

Stryper
really was the premiere heavy metal Christian rock band that came
onto the scene back in the 80's and pioneered the way and without a
doubt still brings the best of it all today. Still working with the
original lineup of vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet,
bassist Timothy Gaines and guitarist Oz Fox hitting the
30th-anniversary release, 1986's album, To Hell With the Devil.
The album spoke to so many when it was released and today those fans
who fell in love with To Hell With the De…

Adam Ant at the Celebrity Theatre by H. Reavis How does one categorize a man who is one part rock star, several parts romantic highwayman, a dash of the peculiar gentleman, and a whole lot of British? One doesn’t. He must be christened and his name yelled in revered abandon: it’s Adam Ant. With a career spanning more than thirty years, the charismatic Adam has enjoyed chart success, awards (particularly the Q Music Icon Award in 2008), movie roles including Drop Dead Rock with Debbie Harry, and sold out concert performances worldwide. His music videos revolutionized the visual aid for musicians with storytelling in lieu of the standard promo. Drawing from his experience in art school his videos chronicled the adventures of his romantic pirate alter ego in “Stand and Deliver” and “Prince Charming.”

Currently in the throes of another tour called Anthems, which is a follow-up to his successful Kings of the Wild Frontier Tour, Adam, and the band are bringing his extensive singles catalog to b…

Whether it is the challenge of growing up too fast, playing in a band that he loves, flying solo, working on music projects, the loss of a loved one, or just kicking back at home musician/singer-songwriter Michael Sweet greets each day as if it were to be his first and his last. With an eagerness to say yes and come what may. His faith in God has carried him to say, "I am not a man of many regrets." Song River: Being
on tour for a band must be an almighty passion. What is it though
that most bands do when they have a 'day off' while they are out
touring? Michael Sweet: To
be honest, aside from interviews and social media, it is a day we
finally get to do our laundry! [laughed] I am so OCD about doing
laundry. You got to be the first one up if you want to get it done. Song River: Laundry
day has to be a good day! When you are on the road and away from home
what are some of the things you miss? Michael Sweet: Of
course I don't like being away from my fam…